Featured in April 2008

See what was in this issue of Real Simple.

On the Cover

• Your get-it-clean guide: faster, easier ways to wash (almost) anything, p. 212
• How to get a good night’s sleep, p. 244
• The no-stress dinner party, p. 224
• Too much stuff: Six ways to clear the clutter, p. 232

 

In This Issue

Thoughts, p. 10
 
 The Simple List, p. 14
 
 Contributors, p. 38
 
 Editor's Note, p. 41
 
 Everyday Celebrations
A festive spring luncheon, p. 43
 
 Your Words
What eco-friendly changes have you made in your life?, p. 51
 
 Solutions 

• New Uses for Old Things, p. 61
• Either...Or?: Head of lettuce vs. bagged lettuce, p. 64
• Modern Manners: Polite stalking, p. 66
• Uncommon Knowledge: Energy costs, p. 68
• Products of the Month, p. 72
• The Primer: Bar codes, p. 76
• Ask Real Simple: Clean up pet hair, p. 78

Life Lessons
Gain a child, lose yourself? Writer Meg Wolitzer weighs in, p. 83
 
 The Motivator,
Life coach Gail Blanke explains three steps for coming to terms with your past―and moving on p. 203
 
 Credits
Where to buy the products in this issue, p. 292
 
 Real Life
Meet reader Gwyn Cready, p. 296
 
 Real Simple To Go, p. 298
 
 

The Guide

Beauty 

• So many neutral nail polishes, so little time. How to find the right one for you, p. 91

Life 

• You recycle; you use CFLs; you lower your heat. But are you really making a difference? Find out with a handy impact chart, p. 103

Style 

• Spring classic: White-hot suits that dazzle any way you wear them, p. 111
• One woman’s favorite turquoise bag, plus 12 colorful options to brighten your wardrobe, p. 121

Body 

• Cracking joints? Dry eyes? Snoring? Decipher the clues to what your body is telling you, p. 129
• Prevent back pain later by doing these four back-strengthening exercises now, p. 139

Home 

• No, “easy wallpaper” is not an oxymoron. Three simple methods and smart materials make transforming a room a cinch, p. 147
• Every home has an interesting story to tell. Use these strategies to track down the history of yours, p. 159

The Organizer 

• Real Simple transforms the playroom of a Philadelphia family into a tidy and creative space worthy of their budding artiste, p. 171

 

Road Tests

• Hoop earrings, p. 181
• Rice mixes, p. 191
• Shredders, p. 197
   

Features

• No matter the item (or the daunting care label), Real Simple’s complete laundry guide has it covered, p. 212
• Dinner for eight on the table in no time. Plus ways to decorate without a lot of fuss, p. 224
• Strategies to kick clutter out of your home for good, p. 232
• Navigate the virtual mall: A guide to safe, economical Web shopping, p. 238
• No more sleepless nights. Experts put nine sleep problems to rest, p. 244  

 

Cooking

• Five Easy Dinners, p. 259
• Make-Ahead Meal: Shrimp with Roasted Peppers and Feta, p. 271
• Fake It, Don't Make It: Simple Spinach Quiche, p. 273
• What’s in Season: Spring produce, p. 277
• Shopping List/Recipe Index, p. 289